Birchir Question

[star4]

Arnt these guys so darn cute!!! I am fishy sitting one for a few days and he is really growing on me. Only seen pics and 2 BIG ones briefly and never paid them much attention before, but this little one I am looking after is a real character. Now this is probably a daft question but whats the difference between a birchir and snakehead?

 

[nmonks]

Now this is probably a daft question but whats the difference between a birchir and snakehead?

About 100 million years!

Bichirs are members of a very primitive group of bony fish. They have, among other primitive traits, true lungs. Snakeheads on the other hand are perciform fish, and therefore members of one of the most advanced fish groups. What were lungs in their distant ancestors are now swim bladders in snakeheads. So when they breathe air, they use a completely different structure known as a labyrinth organ in their head.

In terms of ecology, bichirs and snakeheads are not very different, so you're right to compare them. Both are weak swimmers, both are adapted to still-water habitats, and both of them are carnivores. But in terms of anatomy, they are very, very different. Snakeheads have normal scales, while bichirs have armour plates. Snakeheads have symmetrical tail fins, while bichirs have asymmetric tail fins (like sharks and sturgeons). Snakeheads have only fin rays in their paired fins, while bichirs have bones somewhat analogous to our forearm and lower leg bones.

Last but not least, while everyone knows how to pronounce 'snakehead', the correct pronunciation of 'bichir' is lost in the mists of time.

Cheers, Neale

 

[star4]

Thanks for replying its really interesting and informative. Not that I am looking to keep them he has just fasinated me while he is here.